Happy Holidays!

As we gather with family and friends in the coming weeks, we at Upper Peninsula Periodontics want to wish all of our patients and partner offices a safe and happy holiday season!

We also would like to remind everyone there are a few things you can do at home to help reduce inflammation in your mouth and body. Diet Foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids―including oily cold-water fish (salmon, tuna, herring, or sardines) and walnuts―have been found to reduce inflammation. The body does not produce these acids naturally, and they can come only from consuming certain foods. Additionally, antioxidant-rich green tea has been shown to reduce inflammation in the body.

Exercise

People who exercise regularly demonstrate fewer incidences of periodontal disease than those who do not exercise regularly. While moderate exercise may help reduce inflammation in your body, extreme exercise (such as marathon running) can actually increase systemic inflammation. Exercise also reduce stress, another risk factor for periodontal disease. Stress has a negative impact on the body’s ability to fight infection and inflammation. It’s a good idea to discuss your exercise plan with a health professional to ensure that it’s a good fit for your lifestyle.

Brushing and Flossing

The American Academy of Periodontology (AAP) recommends brushing twice a day and flossing daily as a part of a daily oral health routine. You should also undergo a comprehensive periodontal evaluation every year to assess the health of your gums. If periodontal disease does develop, your periodontist can develop an effective treatment plan for your unique needs.

A healthier smile starts with you.

 Take control of your dental health.

 We are here to help.

Mouth rinses: so many options to choose from...

Question: Should I use _____________ mouth rinse?

Answer: That depends. Not to dodge the questions, however, some self-assessment questions should be posed: Is your current oral hygiene habits effective? Are you missing areas of your mouth that need attention? Is plaque control a problem?

If you have wandered down the dental supply isle at your local grocery store or pharmacy lately, the number of options are a bit overwhelming. We suggest that you first identify what is the primary goal of this rinse: Plaque control? Whitening? Anti-microbial? Sensitivity? Fluoride supplement? After narrowing your search, look for options that fit your desired criteria. As for frequency of rinsing, ask your dentist what would be right for you and your situation. Other thoughts on mouth rinses include: do you have a dry mouth? are your gums sensitive? do you have a lot of dental restorations (fillings and/or crowns)? Alcohol based rinses can exacerbate the effects of dry mouth and can be hard on the gums in certain individuals. Many options are now formulated to be alcohol free, to alleviate dry mouth and irritation to the gums.

If you have questions regarding your daily oral hygiene routine and which products are right for you, reach out to your dental provider and ask directed questions.

A healthier smile starts with you.

Take control of your dental health.

We are here to help.

Brushes and floss? So many options to choose!

The amount of variety when it comes to dental products available at a supermarket is a little intimidating.

Here are some thoughts on a few common dental products.

Toothbrushes: choices vary between powered (electric/battery) or manual, bristle hardness, brush head size and shape. All considerations to take into account when selecting the proper brush for each individual. Everyone has personal preferences, so take some time to figure out what works for you. Manual toothbrushes can be just as effective as powered brushes, if utilizing the proper techniques and brushing duration.

The American Dental Association recommends brushing for two minutes, twice daily.

Floss: a variety of sizes, composition, and specialty types for certain scenarios, the most common floss is standard woven waxed floss (in whatever flavor you prefer). Simply put, my favorite floss is the floss that you use regularly. At least once a day. I recommend flossing at night Arguments have been made about when to floss, either before or after brushing. Personally, I recommend flossing before you brush.

Glide is not a bad floss, however, it was designed for individuals with "tight" teeth, which makes it more challenging for waxed floss, or woven/braided flosses to pass through the spaces where teeth contact one another. I find that Glide does a fair job of displacing plaque and debris that remains in the pocket around teeth, however, given how "slippery" the material is, plaque or food debris does not accumulate on the floss as well as woven/braided flosses.

A healthier smile starts with you.

Take control of your dental health.

We are here to help.

Periodontitis linked to COVID-19 complications

Patients who have periodontal disease were found to have an increased risk for complications due to COVID-19.

The study found that periodontal patients were:

3.5 times more likely to be admitted to an ICU

4.5 times more likely to need a ventilator

9 times more likely to die from COVID-19

A recent publication in the Journal of Clinical Periodontology by investigators in Qatar found that patients who have periodontal disease are at increased risk for severe complications and unfavorable outcomes when infected with COVID-19. Investigators found increased levels of D-dimer, C-reactive protein, and overall white blood cell levels in patients who required ventilation or were admitted to the ICU as compared to those who did not require advanced treatment for COVID-19.

https://www.efp.org/news-events/news/jcp-study-shows-that-periodontitis-is-linked-to-covid-19-complications-30539/

Dr. Davis spoke with TV6 Assistant News Director and Early Morning News Anchor, Andrew LaCombe regarding this study, and to raise awareness that dental patients should continue to seek treatment during the pandemic.

https://www.uppermichiganssource.com/2021/02/24/study-periodontitis-is-linked-to-covid-19-complications/

A healthier smile starts with you.

Take control of your dental health.

We are here to help.

Bleeding gums?

Question: Name areas of the body where hard surfaces project from the skin?

Answer: Your fingernails, toenails, and teeth.

Now imagine if every time you washed your hands, your fingernails bled? Concerning? Absolutely. Most would seek consultation from a medical professional immediately.

However, many individuals report bleeding gums during brushing, flossing, or both.

This is not normal. Healthy gum tissues do not bleed.

Causes for bleeding gum tissues often include periodontal disease, which affects approximately 47% of the population over the age of 35. Another cause is foreign body retention, think popcorn kernel, remnant of food, seeds, and just about any other food particle that does not breakdown easily. Other diseases can present themselves in the form of bleeding gums.

If you notice bleeding while completing your daily oral hygiene routine, do not just assume that the situation will get better, often that bleeding is your body telling you something is wrong.

A healthier smile starts with you.

Take control of your dental health.

We are here to help.

What is a Periodontist? What do they do?

Simply put, we are dentists who have specialized education and skills to treat all of the supporting structures that keep your teeth in your mouth. We specialize in the gum tissue, jaw bone, and ligaments to keep your teeth healthy and allow you to maintain your teeth throughout your life. Periodontists have continued their education beyond dental school, have taken state and national board exams and Dr. Davis is certified to practice at the highest level of achievement in this field.

Losing your teeth does not have to be a foregone conclusion, advancements in diagnosing and treating periodontal and gingival diseases have helped drive dentistry to a point where people are maintaining their smiles and quality of life longer.

Periodontists work closely with all dental offices to help treat and maintain your teeth. Treatment of periodontal and gingival diseases can vary depending on risk factors and are tailored to each individual. If you have questions about your periodontal status, or what additional services are offered, please explore our Services page, or call/email our office. Referrals are not necessary, we welcome walk-ins, and self referrals.

A healthier smile starts with you.

Take control of your dental health.

We are here to help.